Hospital / Homebound

Hospital/Homebound Services

Student Eligibility

1. The student must be enrolled in the public school system in which he or she is requesting this service. Private or home school students are NOT eligible for HHB services from a Georgia public school.
2. The student must have a medical and/or psychiatric condition that is documented by a physician licensed by the State of Georgia. Only a psychiatrist can submit a medical request form for an emotional or psychiatric disorder. The psychiatric condition presented must be listed in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The referring licensed physician and/or licensed psychiatrist must be the treating physician or psychiatrist for the medical and/or psychiatric condition for which the student is requesting HHB services. Examples include the following:
   • A student with leukemia may not request HHB services with a medical statement from a pediatrician. A statement from the oncologist currently treating the student is required.
   • A student with paranoid delusions may not request HHB services with a medical statement from a psychologist or pediatrician. The medical request must be from the licensed psychiatrist currently treating the student.
3. The student must be anticipated to be absent from school for a minimum of ten consecutive school days or for intermittent periods of time anticipated to exceed ten school days during the school year.
4. If the school is on an approved block schedule, then the ten day minimum requirement is reduced to five consecutive or five intermittent days during the school year.
5. Students who have been declared emancipated by a court or are 18 years of age or older are eligible to sign the Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services Request Form and the Compliant Authorization for Exchange of Health and Education Information (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - HIPAA).
6. Students who have any form of influenza or other airborne contagious diseases will not be provided services until the licensed physician certifies that the student is no longer infectious.
7. The local education agency (LEA) may require the parent, guardian, emancipated minor, or student 18 years of age or older to sign the HIPAA form relating to the reason for the request for HHB services. If the LEA requires the HIPAA form, it must be submitted before services can be provided.
8. Students approved for intermittent HHB services must be absent for three consecutive school days on each occurrence before HHB services will be provided.

Procedure to Request Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services:

Forms